Tracy’s review if A Bride Unveiled (Bridal Pleasures #2) by Jillian Hunter

Violet Knowlton is betrothed to the sensible, if tedious, Sir Godfrey Maitland. When Godfrey escorts her to a fencing demonstration, she looks forward to the adventurous diversion, but everything changes when she realizes the swordsman displaying his skill-and dashing good looks- is none other than her childhood friend Kit.

Soon the flames of their forbidden past ignite into a passion neither can refuse. Although Violet has been promised to another, Kit remains her first and only love. He vows he will possess her, no matter what stands in his way…

Violet was a lonely child living with her older aunt and uncle in a small town. When she saw a boy sword fighting – with no one – in the church grave yard she wasn’t sure what to think except that she wanted to play with him. She was only 13 and very naïve. She had no idea what it meant when she met the boy, Kit, and was told by the neighbor boys that Kit lived in the workhouse. Kit, Violet, and neighbors Ambrose and Eldbert become friends (although Ambrose is always a bit arrogant) and when they find out that Kit is about to be sold from the workhouse they make a blood pact – calling their group the Bloody Idiots. Though they’re all friends Kit and Violet share a feeling between them that goes far beyond friendship. It’s never even spoken of but it’s definitely there.

Ten years later and many things have happened. Kit was sold and Violet never knew what happened to him. Violet’s uncle has died and she is now living with just her aunt. She wants to make her aunt happy and is talked into becoming affianced to a man who owns an emporium, Godfrey.

When Violet is invited to a Marquesses event to see Godfrey and his sword fighting troop the last man she expects to see is Kit. He’s become a sword fighting master and made a name for himself. When Violet and Kit see each other again they immediately come together and realize that they want to be together. They meet in secret a couple of times but soon discover that it’s just not enough – they need to be together and let everyone know it. But there is Violet’s fiancé as well someone who is out to ruin Kit.

I really, really liked this book from the first page. The friendship that grows between the four children is written so well I could feel them and their antics take place in the church yard. I hurt for Kit and his situation but knew that it had to happen that way in order for the book to move in the right direction.

When Kit and Violet meet again 10 years later I adored how they were so comfortable with each other as it was just meant to be. Yes, I had a little bit of problem with the fact that she was engaged to Godfrey but it didn’t bother me all that much. I think because Violet was only marrying him for her aunt (who eventually decided Godfrey was an ass). Godfrey was a very sketchy guy – seeming stand up at one point and then a louse the next. I didn’t like him at all. Now did that make it ok for Violet to cheat on him? No, but the sweet love between Kit and Violet was just so wonderful that I just didn’t care. Lol I was swept away in the moment that Violet and Kit shared together and was thrilled to see their other friends be able to get together and share some happy times with them as well.

In the end a sweet, historical romance that I loved reading and couldn’t put down. This book has definitely made me want to read the next in the series and even possibly go back and read book 1 in the series.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

You can read more from Tracy at Tracy’s Place

This book is available from Signet Select. You can buy it here or here in e-format.